Bass

Bass Lake is a 182-acre lake with a maximum depth of 31 feet. The lake is in the city of Plymouth in central Hennepin County. No public boat access exists, however limited shore fishing opportunities are available via the Timber Shores Park walking trails. A targeted survey (6 trap nets/2 gill nets) was completed on Bass Lake during the week of 8/15/2023 to monitor water quality and fish populations. Water color was brown, with poor water clarity, measured at 3.0 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen reached zero parts per million (ppm) at a depth of 16 feet, meaning fish would be unable to use water depths greater than 16 feet during mid-summer. The predator fish community is mainly composed of Largemouth Bass and Northen Pike. Largemouth Bass are present in Bass Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2023 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught one Largemouth Bass, measuring 4.5 inches. High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (10/net), above the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. There were 20 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets during the 2023 survey with an average length of 25.4 and the largest measured at 30.5 inches. The current population appears well balanced (a middle ground between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish), providing decent angling opportunity. The panfish community is primarily composed of Bluegill and Black Crappie. High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (42.7/net) above the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. There were 256 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2023 survey, with an average length of 5.2 inches, and the largest measured at 7.1 inches. Less than 1% of the Bluegill sampled were greater than 7 inches. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (11/net) and trap nets (5.5/net) near the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. There were 36 Black Crappie sampled during the 2023 survey, with an average length of 6.9 inches, and the largest measured at 10.2 inches. Despite many small fish, the presence of Black Crappie greater than 10 inches is an encouraging sign for the fishery. Other fish species sampled in low abundance were Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. Eurasian Watermilfoil, a submersed invasive aquatic plant has been found in Bass Lake and remains present. Eurasian watermilfoil can limit recreational activities on water bodies by forming mats on the water surface and alter aquatic ecosystems by displacing native plants. The most important action that you can take to limit the spread of milfoil and other aquatic invasive plants is to remove all vegetation from your watercraft before you move it from one body of water to another.

The fish population is dominated by bullheads and small centrarchids (members of the sunfish family). Both trap net and gill net samples of black bullhead, brown bullhead, golden shiner, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and black crappie were all higher than median values. Bluegills were the most-frequently caught fish, were quite abundant, and had an average weight of 3.9 fish per pound. Sixty-nine percent of bluegill were 6 inches or larger. Black bullheads were sampled in second-highest frequency, and averaged approximately 8 inches in length. Black crappies averaged 2.7 fish per pound; gill-netted fish were slightly larger than trap-netted fish. Golden shiners were also sampled frequently, with most 7.5-7.9 inches. The northern pike gill net catch was higher than the median value and northern pike trap net catch number was near the median value. Forty-one percent of northern pike were 21 inches or larger. Number of carp per net was below the median value, but carp size was above average because one very large fish was captured. White suckers, white crappies, and hybrid sunfish were present at below-median abundances. Largemouth bass were sampled in all gear types. Number of trap-netted largemouth bass was above the median level. Shoreline seining sampled several young-of-the-year largemouth bass, indicating natural reproduction of this species. Natural reproduction is re-establishing the lake's largemouth bass population, as there are year-classes of fish in addition to those from the 1979 and 1989 private-permit stockings. Northern pike are also likely to re-establish via natural reproduction, as there is potential spawning habitat in the lake's western marshy areas. Growth rate of largemouth bass is slightly below average. Northern pike growth rate appears to be above average through the first five years and average thereafter. Since November 1979, a wintertime aeration system has been permitted to decrease likelihood of fish-killing oxygen depletion.

THE 1986 FISH POPULATION CONSISTS OF: BLACK BULL- BROWN BULLHEAD, BLUEGILL, BLACK CRAPPIE, HYBRID SUNFISH, PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH, LARGEMOUTH BASS, NORTHERN PIKE, CARP, GOLDEN SHINER, AND FATHEAD MINNOWS. BLACK BULLHEAD, BLACK CRAPPIE, BLUEGILL, PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH, HYBRID SUNFISH AND BROWN BULLHEAD, WERE FOUND IN NUMBERS SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE STATE AND LOCAL MEDIAN LEVELS. LARGEMOUTH BASS, NORTHERN PIKE, GOLDEN SHINERS, CARP AND SNAPPING TURTLES WERE CAUGHT IN NUMBERS CLOSE TO LOCAL MEDIAN NET CATCH LEVELS.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye, and White Crappie in Bass. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Bass. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Bass has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 2023.

Yes — Bass has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.